The Director-General of SIPI-BENIN S.A, Létondji Beheton, and the Managing Director of CDC Bénin, Maryse Lokossou, unveiled the country’s industrial and financial strategy during the Africa Forward | Inspire & Connect event in Kenya. Organized with support from key French institutions, the forum highlighted investment opportunities in Benin’s thriving sectors.
GDIZ: A driving force for industrial growth
Létondji Beheton, who previously worked in international financial institutions, returned to Benin in 2016 to contribute to improving the business climate and supporting industrial projects. During the event, he emphasized the rapid expansion of the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ), a 1,640-hectare economic hub where over 20 factories are now operational. The zone has already generated around 25,000 jobs, demonstrating its pivotal role in Benin’s economic transformation.
Addressing challenges such as high energy costs, limited access to affordable financing, and logistical gaps, Benin is investing in industrial, energy, and logistics infrastructure to boost local processing of agricultural raw materials. The country aims to significantly increase the domestic transformation of cotton and cashew nuts, leveraging its status as a leading cotton producer in Africa.
CDC Bénin mobilizes long-term capital for economic diversification
Maryse Lokossou, CEO of CDC Bénin, outlined the institution’s role as a sovereign wealth fund established in 2018 to channel long-term capital into strategic projects. With a background at the West African Development Bank (BOAD), she highlighted the fund’s mission to support investments that drive sustainable economic transformation.
She noted that investments in cotton and cashew processing have already yielded results, with 13% of locally produced cotton now processed domestically and nearly half of exported cashew nuts undergoing transformation in Benin. These efforts align with broader goals of job creation and skill development in the industrial sector.
Attracting global investors to Benin’s industrial ecosystem
Both leaders made a strong case for international investors to engage with Benin’s structured ecosystem, which combines industrial infrastructure, financial support, and government commitment. Maryse Lokossou assured potential investors of CDC Bénin’s readiness to partner with project promoters to mitigate industrial investment risks. Meanwhile, Létondji Beheton called for accelerated investment to meet the country’s industrial ambitions.
The event underscored Benin’s determination to enhance its global appeal, positioning itself as a prime destination for investments in industrial processing, energy, and infrastructure development.
